A REFUSE collector has told of his shock after discovering a dog dumped in a recycling bin with its throat cut.Ken Simpson said he felt “physically sick” after making the gruesome discovery, and urged anyone with information about the killing to come forward in a bid to catch those responsible.

A REFUSE collector has told of his shock after discovering a dog dumped in a recycling bin with its throat cut.

Ken Simpson said he felt “physically sick” after making the gruesome discovery, and urged anyone with information about the killing to come forward in a bid to catch those responsible.

The 38-year-old, who works for Forest Heath District Council, was carrying out his daily collection rounds on Newmarket's Studlands Park estate when he came across a black bin liner in a dustbin.

“I picked up a blue bin but it felt unusually heavy. People are not supposed to put bags in recycling bins, and we have to check to see what is in them, but when I looked inside I saw the body and legs of a dog,” he said.

“I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and immediately contacted my supervisor. I didn't realise the dog's throat had been slit at first because I didn't actually see its head, which I am very grateful for.”

It is believed the dog, a yellow Labrador, went missing from its home shortly before being discovered in the blue bin, which should be used for recycling paper.

“I have tried to put it at the back of my mind, but I can't help being wary when I look inside bins now,” said Mr Simpson, from Mildenhall.

“I have two dogs myself and the one in the bin was exactly the same colour as my puppy, which was very upsetting.

“Never during my four years at the council have I come across anything like this before, and I just hope the RSPCA can catch whoever did this because it is absolutely sick.

“Luckily the dog was not put in a black bin, because we might not have noticed the body and it could have ended up in the dust cart.”

A post mortem carried out by the RSPCA later revealed the dog had died as a result of having its throat cut.

RSPCA Insp Jason Finch said: “This is a particularly nasty case and I would welcome any information that could help us to catch whoever is responsible for this shocking act of cruelty to a defenceless animal.”

Anyone with information should contact 08705 555999.